2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 ECU

83 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Opening the trunk lid
The handle is located in the rear license
plate recess.
1Trunk lid lock
2Handle 
Lift the trunk lid.The trunk can also be opened from the in-
side in an emergency, see Trunk lid emer-
gency release (
page 90).
Separately locking the trunk

Close the trunk lid (
page 91).

Pull the mechanical key out of the
SmartKey (
page 290).

Insert the mechanical key in the trunk
lid lock.1Unlocked
2Locked

Turn the key completely to the right to
position2.
The trunk remains locked even when
the vehicle is centrally unlocked.
iThe vehicle must be unlocked.
To facilitate trunk loading and unload-
ing when the hardtop is retracted, you
can raise the hardtop from its storage
position in the trunk using the loading
aid feature (
page 198). You may also
unhook the luggage cover.
Remember to resecure the luggage
cover after loading/unloading the
trunk. Otherwise you will not be able to
lower the retractable hardtop.
iYou can only cancel the separate trunk
locking mode by means of the mechan-
ical key.

90 Controls in detailLocking and unlocking
Pull remote trunk lid release switch1.
The trunk unlocks. The indicator
lamp2 comes on. It remains lit until
you close the trunk again.
Trunk lid emergency release
The emergency release button is located
on the left side of the trunk.
Illumination of the emergency release but-
ton:

The button will blink for 30 minutes af-
ter opening the trunk.


The button will blink for 60 minutes af-
ter closing the trunk.

Briefly press the emergency release
button.
The trunk unlocks and the trunk lid
opens.
iTo facilitate trunk loading and unload-
ing when the hardtop is retracted, you
can raise the hardtop from its storage
position in the trunk using the loading
aid feature (
page 198). You may also
unhook the luggage cover.
Remember to resecure the luggage
cover after loading/unloading the
trunk. Otherwise you will not be able to
lower the retractable hardtop.
!The emergency release button does
not open the trunk lid if the vehicle bat-
tery is discharged or disconnected.iIf the emergency release button is
pressed and the vehicle was centrally
locked, the exterior lamps will flash and
the alarm will sound as the trunk lid
opens.
To cancel the alarm, insert the key in
the starter switch or press button
Œ

or
‹
on the key.

99 Controls in detail
Memory function
Memory function
With the memory switch you can store up
to three different settings per key and KEY-
LESS-GO* card.
The following settings are saved for each
stored position:

Driver’s seat and backrest position


Steering wheel position


Inside rear view mirror position


Driver’s side exterior rear view mirror
position


Passenger side exterior rear view mir-
ror position
These key dependent memory settings can
be deactivated if desired (
page 130).The memory switch is located on the door.
MMemory button
1, 2, 3Stored positions

Be sure that the ignition is switched on
or one door is open.
All the lamps in the instrument cluster
light up when the ignition is switched
on.
!Prior to operating the vehicle, the driv-
er should check and adjust the seat
height, seat position fore and aft, and
seat backrest angle if necessary, to en-
sure adequate control, reach and com-
fort. The head restraint should also be
adjusted for proper height. Also see air-
bag section (
page 53) for proper seat
positioning.
In addition, adjust the steering wheel to
ensure adequate control, reach, opera-
tion and comfort. Both the inside and
outside rear view mirrors should be ad-
justed for adequate rear vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small
children should be seated in a properly
secured restraint system that complies
with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Ve-
hicle Safety Standard 213.
Warning!
G
Do not activate the memory function while
driving. Activating the memory function
while driving could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.

104 Controls in detailLightingUSA only:
The high beam headlamps can also be ac-
tivated when driving with the daytime run-
ning lamp mode activated and the exterior
lamp switch in position
M
.
To activate the daytime running lamp
mode, see “Setting daytime running lamp
mode (USA only)” (
page 124).
Locator lighting and night security
illumination
Locator lighting and night security illumi-
nation are described in the control system
section, see “Setting locator lighting”
(
page 125) and "Exterior lamps delayed
switch-off" (
page 125).Switching on front fog lamps

Make sure that the low beam head-
lamps are switched on.

Pull out exterior lamp switch to first
stop.
The green indicator lamp
‡
in the
lamp switch lights up.
Switching on rear fog lamp

Make sure that the low beam head-
lamps are switched on.

Pull out exterior lamp switch to second
stop.
The yellow indicator lamp
†
in the
lamp switch lights up.
Combination switch
The combination switch is located on the
left side of the steering column.
1High beam
2High beam flasher
Switching on high beams
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
B

or to
U
(page 102).

Push the combination switch in
direction1.
The high beam symbol in the tachome-
ter will light up.
iSee notes on the exterior lamp switch
(page 102).

125 Controls in detail
Control system
Setting locator lighting
During darkness, the following lamps will
come on when the exterior lamp switch is
in position
U
, the locator lighting fea-
ture is activated, and the vehicle is un-
locked by remote control:


the parking lamps


the tail lamps


the license plate lamps


the front fog lamps
To activate locator lighting:

Make sure that the locator lighting fea-
ture is set to
ON (see below).

Turn the exterior lamp switch to posi-
tion
U
.
The locator lighting switches off when the
driver’s door is opened. It switches off au-
tomatically after a period of approximately
40 seconds.

Move the selection marker with button æ
or
ç
to the
Lighting
sub-
menu

Press button
j
or
k
repeatedly
until you see this message in the left
display:
Locator lighting
.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.

Press
æ
or
ç
to select the de-
sired setting.
The locator lighting will be switched on
or off.Setting night security illumination
(Exterior lamps delayed switch-off)
Use the
Headlamps delayed switch-off

function to set whether and for how long
you would like the exterior lamps to illumi-
nate during darkness after all doors are
closed. When the delayed switch-off fea-
ture is activated and the exterior lamp
switch is in position
U
, the following
lamps will remain lit after you remove the
key from the starter switch:


the parking lamps


the tail lamps


the license plate lamps


the front fog lamps
To activate night security illumination:

Select delayed switch-off period (see
below).

Turn the exterior lamp switch to posi-
tion
U
.

140 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionGear selector lever position
Effect
P
Park position
Selector position when the vehicle is
parked. Only place selector lever in
positionP when vehicle is stopped.
The park position is not intended to
serve as a brake when the vehicle is
parked. Rather, the driver should al-
ways set the parking brake in addi-
tion to placing the selector lever in
positionP to secure the vehicle.
The key can only be removed from
the starter switch with the selector
lever in positionP.
R
Reverse gear
Place selector lever in positionR
only when vehicle is stopped.
Effect
N
Neutral
No power is transmitted from the en-
gine to the drive axle. When the
brakes are released, the vehicle can
be moved freely (pushed or towed).
To avoid damage to the transmis-
sion, never engageN while driving.
If ESP is deactivated or malfunction-
ing:
Only move selector lever toN if the
vehicle is in danger of skidding (e.g.
on icy roads).
D
Drive
The transmission shifts automatical-
ly. All five forward gears are avail-
able.
!Coasting the vehicle, or driving for any
other reason with selector lever inN,
can result in transmission damage that
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector
lever not fully engaged in positionP is dan-
gerous. Also, positionP alone is not intend-
ed to or capable of preventing your vehicle
from moving, possibly hitting people or ob-
jects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (
page 47).
When parked on an incline, also turn the
front wheels towards the road curb.

164 Controls in detailRetractable hardtopClosing the retractable hardtop with
the key
Aim the transmitter eye at the door
handle.

Press and hold button
‹
until the
retractable hardtop is completely
closed.
The retractable hardtop and the side
windows close. In the tachometer dis-
play you will see the message Hardtop
closed
.Problems when operating the retract-
able hardtop
Indicator lamp in the retractable hard-
top switch is blinking
Several problems may cause the indicator
lamp in the hardtop switch to blink when
activated:


The luggage cover in the trunk is not
closed.
Close the luggage cover in the
trunk.


The trunk lid is open.
Close the trunk lid.


The battery voltage is too low.
Start engine and let run while acti-
vating switch.


The hardtop drive system has shut it-
self down. For safety reasons, no more
than five consecutive attempts may be
made to raise or lower the hardtop.
After about ten minutes you may
again attempt to open or close the
retractable hardtop again.
If the indicator lamp in the retractable
hardtop switch blinks when starting off or
while driving and you hear a warning sound
for a maximum of 10 seconds, the retract-
able hardtop is not locked.

Properly lock the retractable hardtop
(page 162) before continuing to
drive.
If the indicator lamp continues to blink af-
ter you have carried out the above actions,
there is a malfunction.

Have the retractable hardtop system
checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
If the retractable hardtop does not com-
pletely open or close a warning sounds and
the retractable hardtop switch blinks. In the
speedometer display you will see
K
, in
the tachometer display you will see the mes-
sage
being lowered!
. After about
15 seconds the roof hydraulics lose pres-
sure.
Properly lock the retractable hardtop
(
page 162) before continuing to drive.

190 Controls in detailUseful features
Useful featuresInterior storage spaces Glove box
An AUX socket to the audio system for por-
table audio devices is installed in the glove
box.
1Button to open
2Glove box
Opening the glove box

Press button1.
The glove box lid opens downward.
Closing the glove box

Push lid up to close.Cup holders
1Left cup holder
2Right cup holder
Opening

Briefly press cup holder cover.
The cup holder opens automatically.
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when stowing objects in the vehicle. Put lug-
g a g e o r c a r g o i n t h e t r u n k i f p o s s i b l e . D o n o t
pile luggage or cargo higher than the seat
backs. Do not place anything on shelf be-
hind roll bar.
Parcel nets cannot secure hard or heavy ob-
jects. Warning!
G
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help
to prevent stored objects from being thrown
about and injuring vehicle occupants during
an accident.